Does the Bible Allow Anything It Doesn’t Explicitly Forbid? Case in Point: Pornography.

Recently, a question was asked of me regarding Sola Scriptura (meaning, “By Scripture Alone”). A term used during the protestant reformation in the 16th century emphasizing the need to look to the Bible for doctrinal authority alone rather than church tradition and ecclesiastical authority. The question was asked, “is anything not expressly prohibited in the Bible permitted? Or does the doctrine (sola scriptura) permit moral extrapolation to cover circumstances not expressly addressed?”

Explicit commands not given in the Bible are covered by encompassing doctrine derived from The Word of God throughout the entire Bible. The Bible provides doctrine, not just injunctions. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” II Timothy 3:16.

Scripture seldom provides exhaustive “yes/no” rules. Instead, it gives, for example:

Commands (Explicit prohibitions or requirements like the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:1-17)

Principles (Broad moral frameworks like those given in the Beatitudes by Christ -Matthew Chapters 5-7 or like to love your neighbor as yourself- Matthew 22:39)

Wisdom (Discernment for complex situations: “And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Job 28:28)

Motives (Heart-level orientation like obedience and desire to please God. “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15)

Consequences (Spiritual outcomes regarding obedience in love (John 14:15) or sin in Judgment and death. (Romans 6:23)

The Bible forbids entire categories of behavior. Many sins are prohibited not by naming every possible instance, but by naming the category. For example: “Fornication” covers every form of sexual immorality, including premarital or extramarital sexual activity.  Spiritually, fornication is sin itself. Sin being an act of fornication ultimately a sin committed against God. “Covetousness” covers every form of greed or lust. “Idolatry” covers every form of misplaced trust or worship. “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16) covers entire domains of sin.

So, the Bible doesn’t give enumerated commands for every possible sinful action. It gives rather encompassing types. Therefore, something may not be prohibited, yet still be unwise, enslaving, harmful, unloving, spiritually blunting, a stumbling block which would all be sin.

Therefore, explicit commands not given in the Bible are covered by encompassing doctrine (II Timothy 3:16) developed from The Word of God throughout the Bible.

 For example, explicit and implicit commands are given regarding a particular dreadful and destructive sin that is exponentially being committed in epic proportions throughout the world today which is the pornography endemic.

The statistics on the usage and profitability of pornography throughout the world are staggering.  Nearly 75% of professing Christian men access pornography and the leading porn video website receives 115 million views a day equaling 42 billion views a year. The global pornography market size was valued at approximately $97 billion USD in 2018, today it continues to rise to $106 billion. Individuals no longer need providers or producers to sell their own produced porn but can do so themselves with a provider who paid out over $2 billion to creators in a single year, disrupting traditional industry revenue models. 47% of families in the United States reported that pornography is a problem in their home[1]. 

Statistics show men overwhelmingly engage in pornographic activity four times greater than women, however more women now are also engaging.  Porn use is widespread worldwide, ranging from 50% to 99% among men and 30% to 86% among women, depending on age, country, and study method.    Pornography can have significant negative impacts on mental health, relationships, and societal attitudes, including addiction, and emotional instability.[2] Porn fuels the sex-trafficking industry and causes acute and chronic harm to people regardless of age, sex, race or economic status who produce, engage, and view porn. Statistics show that 20–38% of youth aged 11 to 17 report seeing pornography online within the past year.[3] Over 4.4 billion hours of pornography are watched weekly worldwide. Pornography consumption has increased by approximately 90% over the past decade.[4] The pornography dilemma is the unspoken and ignored plague inflicting mankind today and this is due to the shame associated with it however, what was once considered unthinkable and illicit by society’s standards just a few generations ago is now readily accessed and exploited by more people throughout the world than ever in history. What has happened?

The Bible implicitly and explicitly addresses the pornographic problem, a problem of grave and detrimental sin. The Greek word from which we get our word for pornography is πορνεία porneía, por-ni’-ah; Strong’s G4202 is translated fornication 26 times in the New Testament as found in Matthew 15:19, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”  And in Galatians 5:16, “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness.” And in Colossians 3:5, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

We read in Romans 13:14, “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”  All men and women are tempted to commit one sin of a kind or another. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:14-15.

Lusts which are driven by porn and vice versa leads to death. The desire to view or engage in pornography is an expression of lust and is absorbed through seeing to the greatest extent along with hearing and then feeling. The warning is clear; pornography is grievous sin. We find in I John 2:16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

Christ explicitly stated on  the  mount in Matthew 5:27-28, “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” I Thessalonians 5:22 we read, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”  It is the will of God that we abstain from first thinking or imagining sinful sexual desire then acting out or engaging in sexual sins.

Following the fall of humankind, sin became an intrinsic component of human nature and thought. This includes the capacity to approach sexual activity appropriately and honorably, which God intended as being reserved exclusively for the matrimonial relationship. Genesis 2:24 implies the man and woman becoming one flesh as proven solely in the marriage relationship. “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Genesis 2:24.

As designed by God to be incorporated into His plan for procreation, sexual activity is to be done lovingly, respectfully, and with great care for the spouse. “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:” I Thessalonians 4:3-5. Those engaging in any pornographic activity are evidencing their own damnation and non-election which in the preceding verse is identified as “the Gentiles which know not God.”  God’s elect on the other hand will resist and flee fornication. Ephesian 5:3 relates, “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints.”

An example of an explicit command regarding sexual lusts is found in I Corinthians 6:18. “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” Additionally, we read, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:” Colossians 3:5-6. Pornography is viewed by more teenagers and young adults than any other demographic[5].   The Bible explicitly commands, “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”  II Timothy 2:22.

The consequences of sexual sin and lust are indeed explicit in Scripture. “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.”  Hebrews 13:4. “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness… they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21. “But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.” Proverbs 6:32. Remember Christ indicated in Matthew 5:27-28 that adultery is first committed in the mind, in one’s own thinking even if not acted out physically or literally.

Sin begins in our minds. God’s elect have a revived, a renewed way of thinking. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2. One verse that may help lead to correction in combating sexual lusts and viewing unedifying entertainment is found in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Notice our thinking, that is our minds should be concentrating on truth, honesty, justice, purity, loveliness, goodness, virtues and praise coupled with prayer, “Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”  Philippians 4:6. Sexual sins begin in the mind and in themselves thoughts of unease, frustration, and lusts can only be remedied by God, through His Word, and prayer who will give us the peace we pray to receive from Him. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7.

Whether a command may or may not be explicitly provided for in Scripture–an excellent standard by which to govern your conscience is found in Romans 14:23, “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”  Whatsoever is not of faith (which is Christ-Revelation 1:5 & Revelation 19:11) is sin. So we know regarding every thought, action, or word, whatsoever is not of Christ is sin. As God’s elect our bodies are no longer to engage in sin but we must be a “living sacrifice unto God” Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” God’s elect will glorify God in their body. “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” I Corinthians 6:18-20.

So, the answer to the question is: The Bible does indeed require a moral extrapolation derived from doctrine within the Bible alone to cover circumstances not expressly designated.

If you or know a person who may be held in bondage to sexual lusts in viewing pornography know that the epidemic proportions by which it exists throughout the world is further evidence of God’s judgment as His Wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men upon the non-elect or unsaved of the world at this time as God lifts His Hand of restraint upon unsaved man allowing him to destroy him or herself. God has given unsaved mankind “up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts.” Romans 1:24 which is why we see the production, engagement, profit, and harmful effects of pornography throughout the world and to its greatest extent ever are being evidence during Judgment Day(s).

For God’s elect, they are being tried at this time and although they may have engaged in lustful thoughts and acts, they will respond to the chastisement of God and turn from their wickedness and cleave unto God’s Word the Bible and the verses that implicitly and explicitly warn and then conquer lust and evil desires.  “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” Hebrews 12:6

Deal harshly and immediately with pornographic addiction. Be resolute and think, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” Psalm 101:3. If you may be God’s elect you will echo the Psalmist, “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” Psalm 119:37.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”  Jude 1:24-25.

J.R. Carman 

[1] https://gitnux.org/internet-pornography-statistics/

[2]  https://www.addictionhelp.com/porn/effects/

[3] https://www.pornaddiction.org/statistics/

[4] https://worldmetrics.org/porn-watching-statistics/

[5] https://worldmetrics.org/porn-watching-statistics/